Materials

Our standard panels are constructed of 1/8” Aluminum.

Other materials are available by special order, including ¼” aluminum, stainless steel, Corten steel, copper and brass.

ALUMINUM
(Standard)

Aluminum was once known as the Metal of Kings. It provides good strength, ease of machining, and excellent corrosion resistance while also still being lightweight, inexpensive and versatile. Ideal material for both interior and exterior applications, and requires minimum maintenance. It also has the added benefit of being a third lighter than steel with comparable strength. Aluminium can also be easily and repeatedly recycled.

STAINLESS
(Special Order)

“Rustless steel” or stainless steel. It’s an Iron-based alloy containing a minimum of 11% Chromium, which is the property that resists rust, making it stain less than other metals. Each type of stainless steel has a set of unique composition and unique qualities. The chemical composition of the stainless steel determines properties including hardness, strength, whether it is magnetic or not, and how easy the steel is to work with. It is highly resistant to corrosion and therefore suitable for outdoor applications. No protective coating is required. Steel best recommended uses for indoors applications.

COR-TEN
(Special Order)

Weathering steel, often referred to by the genericized trademark COR-TEN steel and sometimes written without the hyphen as corten steel, is a group of steel alloys which were developed to eliminate the need for painting, and form a stable rust-like appearance after several years exposure to weather. Weathering steel is popularly used in outdoor applications for its rustic antique appearance. Weathering steel’s normal surface weathering can also lead to rust stains on nearby surfaces.

BRONZE
(Special Order)

Its reddish color is highly attractive and can be matched with hardware in real bronze. It needs to be clear lacquer coated.

COPPER
(Special Order)

It’s reddish color can be very beautiful. The color of copper is unique among the elements. Most metals have are silver or gray in color. Gold and a few other metals are yellow. Only copper has a reddish-metallic luster. Copper is also naturally antibacterial.

Why Aluminum?

Debunking Common Myths About Aluminum vs. Steel

Architects often request laser-cut panels in steel rather than aluminum. In some architectural applications, steel may be preferred because it offers greater rigidity and higher structural strength for load bearing uses. For decorative laser-cut panels, however, aluminum is generally the better material choice.

Aluminum is especially well suited for laser-cut panels for several reasons:

• Lightweight: Aluminum is significantly lighter than steel, making it easier to handle and less costly to ship.
• Formability: Aluminum is highly malleable and easy to machine, cast and laser cut into complex shapes. The increased malleability makes working aluminum faster than steel and reduces labor costs.
• Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum naturally forms a protective oxide layer, providing superior resistance to rust and corrosion compared to carbon steel.
• Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Although steel is stronger overall, aluminum provides high strength at a much lower weight, allowing for durable yet lightweight structures.
• Sustainability: Aluminum is 100% recyclable without losing its properties.
• Cost: The cost of raw steel sheets is initially less expensive than aluminum sheets. However, the greater difficulty of laser cutting steel increases production time and labor costs. The greater weight of steel also increases shipping costs. As a result, aluminum laser-cut screens have a lower total production cost than comparable steel screens.

GTM Artisan metal offers 1/8” Aluminum as our standard material. ¼” and 3/16” thickness aluminum are available by request. If another material is required for your project, please contact our sales team.